Western Upper Peninsula Citizen Advisory Council DNR Division Reports Date of Production: November 2018

This documentation is provided by DNR staff as a supplement to verbal reports that will be distributed to the Western UPCAC at the November 1, 2018 meeting in Escanaba, MI.

Upper Peninsula Regional Coordinator Update – Stacy Haughey, UP Regional Coordinator

DNR Public Meetings October 11 Natural Resources Commission Meeting, Lansing October 16 Forestry Open House-Newberry Unit, DNR Newberry Field Office, 3:00pm October 17 Forestry Compartment Review-Gwinn Unit, Ishpeming Township Hall, 9:30am October 18 Eastern UP Citizen’s Advisory Council Meeting, Munising Township Hall-Wetmore, 6:00pm October 23 Forestry Compartment Review-Shingleton Unit, DNR Shingleton Office, 9:00am October 25 Forestry Compartment Review-Crystal Falls, DNR Crystal Falls Office, 8:00am Central October 25 UP Sportsperson Coalition Meeting, DNR Shingleton Field Office, 6:00pm October 30 Forestry Compartment Review-Newberry Unit, Newberry Correctional Facility Training Room, 9am November 1 Ask the DNR Program on WNMU-TV13, 8:00pm November 1 Western UP Citizen’s Advisory Council Meeting, Bay College-Escanaba, 5:30pm November 8 Natural Resources Commission Meeting, Detroit December 5 Eastern UP Citizen’s Advisory Council Meeting, LMAS Health Dept-Newberry, 6:00pm

U.P. & State Sponsored Activities October 13 Tahquamenon Falls State Park – Harvest Festival October 26 -Creating a Cutting Board (3-day class)

Season Dates & Reminders 11/1 Beaver & Otter trapping open in Unit B (for residents) 11/1 Muskrat & Mink trapping open Zone 2; Badger trapping opens in Zone 3 11/6 Woodcock season closes 11/10 Beaver & Otter trapping open in Unit C (for residents) 11/10 Muskrat & Mink trapping open in Zone 3 11/10 Five Day Firearm Restriction Period begins, see hunting digest p. 19 11/14 Badger trapping closes in Zones 1 & 2 11/14 Fall Turkey & Early Archery Deer seasons close 11/14 Grouse closes until 12/1; pheasant season closes in Zones 2 & 3 11/15 Firearm Deer season opens 11/15 Frog, Toad, and Salamander seasons close 11/30 Firearm Deer season closes; Muskie closes on the Boundary Waters 11/30 Last Day to obtain Bobcat Kill Tags

1 of 16 Recent DNR Press Releases For full details, go to: www.michigan.gov/dnrpressroom

▪ 21 million fish stocked, outdoor education and sportsman honors (10/22/18) ▪ ‘Do Not Eat’ Advisory Issued for Deer Taken within five miles of Clark’s Marsh, Oscoda Township (10/19/18) ▪ Celebrate bats in your classroom (10/19/18) ▪ Showcasing the DNR: How to age a deer (10/18/18) ▪ DNR to lower water level of Lake LeVassseur in Marquette County (10/15/18) ▪ $350,000 for dams, What in the Wild game, lake sturgeon release (10/15/18) ▪ Four conservation officers receive lifesaving awards (10/12/18) ▪ Rainfall forces early campground closures at Baraga and Porcupine Mountains state parks (10/11/18) ▪ Showcasing the DNR: The Isle Royale experience – wolf translocation (10/11/18) ▪ Storm-ravaged trails recovery work continues in Houghton County (10/10/18) ▪ Future of Lime Island, New Zealand mudsnails, NRC meeting & more (10/8/18) ▪ Federal grant aids effort to create richer Visitor experiences at (10/5/18) ▪ DNR Get Involved: Input on state forest road ORV use, forest planning & more (10/5/18) ▪ Showcasing the DNR: Taking a shot at shooting sports (10/4/18) ▪ Discover the beauty of Michigan’s fall trails (10/3/18) ▪ Bats, Wetland Wonders, archeology, hiking, hunts and more (10/2/18) ▪ State-record sunfish, wildlife habitat grants, ORVs on forest roads (10/1/18)

Grant Contacts For grant information, to go: http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-153-58225---,00.html

Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Grant Merrie Carlock, 517-284-5931, [email protected] Recreation Passport Grant Merrie Carlock, 517-284-5931, [email protected] Aquatic Habitat Grant Kelly Parker, 517-284-5957, [email protected] Michigan Invasive Species Grant Kammy Frayre, 517-284-5970, [email protected] Wildlife Habitat Grant Kelly Parker, 517-284-5957, [email protected] U.P. Deer Habitat Improvement Partnership Grant Bill Scullon, 906-563-9247, [email protected]

Eastern UPCAC Update

The Eastern UP Citizen’s Advisory Council Meeting met on October 18th in Munising. The following agenda items were discussed: Subcommittee Reports (Firewood Movement, Fisheries (Cormorants), and Policy Impact), Nuisance Beaver Trapping Permit Update, September NRC Meeting Public Comment Topics (Youth Bear Hunt and Additional Overtime for Officers During Deer Season) and Impact of West Nile Virus on Ruffed Grouse. The bulk of the meeting was spent on the news from earlier in the day that CWD was found in Dickinson County. Stacy and Craig Albright were on hand to relay the information and answer questions. Mark Pontti, Governor Snyder’s Northern Michigan Director and Senator Casperson were also in attendance. The next meeting of the EUPCAC will be on December 5 in Newberry.

October 2018 NRC Meeting Summary – Ed Golder, Public Information Officer

The Natural Resources Commission met in Lansing on October 11. Items approved by the Commission:

2 of 16 • Special fishing regulations for warmwater species on select waters. The revised regulations include changes to bait restrictions, pike possession limits and bass size limits on certain waters. The commission amended this regulation before its passage to remove the daily possession limit for yellow perch on Lake Gogebic. This regulation will instead be added to a future order.

• Changes to designated trout streams, removing from this designation a portion of the Black River in Cheboygan County, and Dickerson Creek in Ionia and Montcalm counties.

• Changes to fishing tournament regulations, which currently require registration of bass tournaments. This order adds mandatory registration of walleye and muskellunge tournaments as well beginning in 2019.

Director Keith Creagh approved Commercial fishing regulations, clarifying commercial fishing law for better protection, preservation, maintenance and harvesting of fish. He also approved 15 land transactions. Details of those transactions can be found in the NRC agenda.

The first meeting of the day was of the Policy Committee on Wildlife and Fisheries. Fisheries Chief Jim Dexter told the committee that the fall salmon runs have been strong this year. The initiative to re-establish Arctic grayling in Michigan waters is moving forward, with an annual partners meeting scheduled for Oct. 29.

Jim then reviewed a proposal to add additional Upper Peninsula waters to the list of streams with a 10-brook-trout-a-day bag limit, an exception to the statewide bag limit of five brook trout a day. There are currently 33 stream segments in the U.P. where this more liberal limit applies. Fisheries identified an additional seven stream segments for potential inclusion. Because of limited data on how the regulations are affecting fish populations, Fisheries suggested an additional three years of study on the current streams with this additional bag limit before making a judgment on the additional seven streams. The Commission asked for an amendment to the order to remove the additional seven streams, and further asked the Fisheries Division to come back to the committee with a framework for a study that will properly evaluate the effect of the bag limit regulation on streams where the 10-fish limit currently applies.

Seth Herbst of Fisheries reviewed fisheries orders before the commission for information and slated for action at the November meeting. These include:

• Statewide trout, salmon, whitefish, lake herring and smelt regulation, which would remove restrictions on scented materials on some inland waters and make other modifications to the current order.

• Special hook size regulations, which includes several minor changes to current regulations.

• Statewide warmwater regulations for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, muskellunge, channel catfish, flathead catfish, yellow perch, sunfishes and white bass. This order would make a number of changes to current regulations, including reducing the statewide yellow perch daily possession limit from 50 to 25. This proposed change followed an analysis that included a statewide survey of anglers that found a solid majority supporting the reduced limit.

• Changes to gear restrictions for fishing to allow drop-shotting at drowned river mouths. Drop-shotting is a method of fishing whereby an artificial bait or lure is tied to the main line above a weight, which allows anglers to bounce the weight on the bottom while keeping the bait or lure a distance from the bottom. Prohibitions against this practice were put in place because of concerns about snagging. The new regulations will limit hook sizes to maintain opportunities for anglers while protecting resources.

Wildlife Chief Russ Mason stated that the Wildlife Habitat Grant program has provided $4.7 million for habitat improvement across the state. A memorandum from U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke reaffirms the authority of states to exercise their broad trustee and police powers on public lands and waters under the jurisdiction of the Interior Department. The U.P. Deer Movement Study confirms concerns that there is at least some risk of CWD entering the Upper Peninsula from Wisconsin because of deer movement.

Chad Steward of Wildlife reported on the results of this year’s Preliminary Elk Season. The season ran during three time periods: Aug. 28-Aug. 31; Sept. 14-Sept. 17; and Sept. 28-Oct. 1. Sixty-nine elk were harvested during this time: 28 bulls and 41 antlerless elk. Tribal hunters harvested three elk – two bulls and one cow.

John Niewoonder of Wildlife talked about the department’s efforts to expand opportunities for hunters to check and test deer in the 16-county CWD Management Zone. Historically there have been six check stations in these counties. This season there will be 17, along with 21 stand-alone deer head drop boxes. In addition, the department is working with 18

3 of 16 deer processors and 25 taxidermists to obtain samples. The goal is to test over 15,500 deer throughout the hunting seasons this year.

In the Committee of the Whole, Commission Chair Vicki Pontz introduced new NRC commissioner David Nyberg of Skandia in the Upper Peninsula. Dave is director of corporate engagement at Northern Michigan University and has a long-time interest and involvement in natural resources.

Law Enforcement Chief Gary Hagler introduced Steve Burton as the new assistant chief of the Law Enforcement Division. Assistant Chief Burton’s background includes time in the Michigan State Police and Michigan Army National Guard. He has been with the DNR Law Enforcement Division for 20 years.

Chief Hagler then presented four lifesaving awards to members of his division:

• Conservation Officer Michael Evink of Manistique responded to a call that two men had overturned a kayak in Lake Michigan, south of Manistique. The caller said that the two men were bobbing in the water next to the kayak. The officer responded to the scene and launched his DNR personal watercraft from the beach at the caller’s location. CO Evink was able to locate and secure one of the kayakers, a man from Oxford, Michigan. He returned the kayaker, who was displaying signs of hypothermia and exhaustion, to shore where Manistique Public Safety Emergency Medical Services provided medical assistance. The man made a full recovery, thanks to CO Evink’s efforts. The second man did not survive, despite several attempts by CO Evink to reach the man at the bottom of the lake.

• Conservation Officer Jeff Panich of Lincoln was on marine patrol heading into Tawas Bay from Lake Huron when he observed an unoccupied personal watercraft spinning in circles, 1 mile from shore. Scanning the water, CO Panich observed two passengers, both wearing life jackets, about a half-mile from the watercraft. CO Panich approached the passengers, a female in her 30s and a male in his 60s, both from Florida. Stopping the boat, CO Panich asked the passengers to swim to the ladder and climb onto the DNR boat. The female passenger was able to climb aboard, but the man indicated he had no strength. CO Panich was able to assist the fatigued and shaking man onto the boat. The passengers said that they had been riding the rented watercraft and were not wearing the safety lanyard when they fell into the water. When the watercraft circled around them, they would try swimming for it, heading further into the lake instead of toward shore. The two estimated they were in the water for 30 minutes before CO Panich arrived.

• Conservation Officers Samuel Koscinski and Scott MacNeill of Manistee were conducting marine patrol on the river in Manistee County when they noticed a distressed female in fast-flowing water, located downstream of . Elisabeth Aldridge, 22, of Montague, Michigan, was wrapped around a log – being pulled by the current. Her head was barely above water and her arm was punctured by fish hooks that were attached to fishing lines tangled on the log. Battling the fast river current, CO Koscinski controlled the DNR boat, positioning it to provide Aldridge with support. CO MacNeill reached over the boat bow to temporarily secure Aldridge in a life jacket and cut the fishing lines attached to the hooks in Aldridge’s arm. Holding onto the boat, Aldridge broke free from the original lines, but her legs became tangled in additional hooks and lines. The force of Aldridge’s body tangled in the fish lines pulled the bow of the boat further into the water. CO Koscinski maintained the boat while CO MacNeill held Aldridge and provided her with a knife to free her legs from the lines. In a state of shock, Aldridge was pulled into the boat where she was able to recover.

Parks Chief Ron Olson reported that Recreation Passport revenue is up 12.8 percent this year over last; lodging reservations are up 1 percent and harbor nights are up 11.5 percent; ORV license sales are up 2.6 percent and trail use is up 1.4 percent. There were a number of events around the state to celebrate National Trails Week, Sept. 22-29, Ron said. Staff are continuing to make progress on repairing infrastructure, especially trails, damaged by storms in the Western Upper Peninsula in June.

Ron presented a Partners in Conservation Award to the Huron Waterloo Pathways Initiative and its board chairman, Jeff Hardcastle, for the group’s positive impact on nonmotorized trail development projects in southeast Michigan. The Huron Waterloo Pathways Initiative is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the facilitation and development of nonmotorized recreational trails through awareness, fundraising and the coordination of individuals, civic groups, businesses and government entities.

Marketing and Outreach Chief Kristin Phillips presented a Partners in Conservation Award to Jon Gray who teaches middle school in Lake Orion. Since 2010, Jon has raised $90,000 in funds through the Novi Chapter of Safari Club International to offer scholarships to educators to attend the DNR’s Academy of Natural Resources. The two-week academy offers educators the opportunity to learn about Michigan’s diverse natural resources, discover current trends in their management and experience activities that bring knowledge to the classroom. For nine years, Gray has also

4 of 16 contributed hundreds of hours to help plan and facilitate the academy, which has grown from 16 teachers in 2008 to 70 this past year. The program has since expanded, thanks to Gray’s involvement, to include the Academy of Natural Resources North in the western Upper Peninsula.

Office of the Great Lakes Director Jon Allan talked about efforts to monitor the Clinton River-Lake St. Clair Watershed through a first-of-its-kind integrated, interactive model of the watershed by deploying a network of 50 water quality censors. Jon also reported on an economic impact study of money spent on Areas of Concern in Michigan. Every federal dollar spent between 2010 and 2016 will produce an additional $3.35 in additional economic activity for the Great Lakes region through 2036; will generate an additional $1.62 in additional economic activity in tourism related industries through 2036; and will produce quality of life improvements worth $1.08 to residents in coastal communities.

The Michigan Involvement Committee of Safari Club International presented the 2018 Biologist of the Year Award to John Niewoonder of the Wildlife Division. John, of Greenville, is a highly respected biologist and manager. He was recognized for his outstanding contribution to wildlife management in Michigan.

The SCI presented awards to two deer hunters who participated in the annual deer hunter survey conducted by the DNR. The two were randomly drawn from among survey respondents. Alan Lee of Chesterfield won a new gun. Brian Ballinger of DeWitt won a new crossbow.

Jim Dexter of Fisheries announced that the division is integrating three current grant programs – the Aquatic Habitat Grant Program, the Dam Management Grant Program and the Habitat Improvement account grant program – into one. This will increase efficiency and create a consistent application timeline. The new format should be fully in place in 2019.

Tammy Newcomb of the Executive Division reported on efforts to stop invasive Asian carp from entering the Great Lakes at the Brandon Road Lock and Dam. Mike Nowlin of Gud Marketing, the company retained by the DNR to spearhead the campaign to promote action at Brandon Road, talked about how the campaign has been able to bring attention to this important natural resource issue. The most recent phase of the campaign included an impactful video that has been shared multiple times on social media.

Resource Deputy Bill O’Neill, Chad Stewart of Wildlife and Marketing and Outreach Chief Kristin Phillips gave the latest on chronic wasting disease. Common questions the department is encountering regarding this year’s hunting regulations are related to scent and bait; carcass transportation; special scenarios regarding having deer tested (related to taxidermy, for instance); and an expiring license that was put in place for the first time this year, Chad said. Public meetings were held in September on a proposed Antler Point Restriction in the thumb area. A survey of hunters in the area will be sent by January 2019, with results expected in April 2019. Evaluation of a proposed antler point restrictions in a five-county area affected by CWD is also moving forward.

Kristin talked about communications efforts around CWD, which have focused on encouraging hunters to recognize that their actions matter in helping to manage CWD in the state. The department has created brochures, cards and posters for distribution around the state. We have also purchased radio time for public service announcements about CWD. The department did a Facebook Live event featuring Chad Stewart, allowing people to ask questions about CWD. In addition, Kristin said, the department is working to communicate with non-hunters, especially those who recreationally feed deer, to let them know how CWD regulations will affect them.

October 2018 Legislative Updates – Anna Mooney, Legislative & Legal Affairs Office

HB 6187, 6199-6201 – Straits of Mackinac Safety, Protection and Accountability – Rep. Allor, Cole, and Chatfield These bills seek to amend the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act and the Code of Criminal Procedure to provide additional protections for the Great Lakes in the Straits of Mackinac where pipelines exist. HB 6187 would require the Department of Natural Resources to install markers, buoys or other signage to indicate to an operator of a vessel that they are in an area where an anchor or other vessel equipment is currently prohibited.

HB 6200 would prohibit the dragging, setting or use of an anchor by a vessel in the Straits of Mackinac, unless granted permission by the Director. HB 6199 would provide clear penalties for an operator of a vessel that is knowingly dragging or using an anchor in an area where it is prohibited, unless by emergency order. Lastly, HB 6201 would require that an owner, operator or manager of a Straits gas or oil pipeline from which a release occurs notify the Department of Environmental Quality immediately. The owner or operator of the pipeline would then be required to submit subsequent reports on the cause of the release, discovery of the release and the response measures taken to prevent reoccurrence or a schedule for completion of measures to take place.

5 of 16 • These bills passed the House and were referred to the Senate for consideration. • The Administration has not taken a position on this legislation.

HB 5836, HBs 5988-5989 –Electronic Boater’s Safety Certificate– Rep. Marino, Bellino, LaFave These bills seek to amend the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to allow an individual that is required to display their boater’s safety certificate upon request when operating a motorboat to do so electronically. The bill would also require the Department to allow law enforcement agencies to verify that an individual has obtained a boater’s safety certificate. • These bills passed the House and were referred to the Senate Committee on Outdoor Recreation and Tourism. • The Administration has not taken a position on this legislation.

HB 5866 – Sport Fishing – Rep. Bellino This bill seeks to amend the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to make several clarifications in decision making authority from the department to the commission in the section of law pertaining to sport fishing. • This bill passed the House and was referred to the Senate Committee on Outdoor Recreation and Tourism. • The Administration supports this legislation.

HB 6293 – Firearm Possession – Rep. LaFave This bill seeks to amend the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to allow an individual to carry, transport or possess a firearm in an area frequented by wild animals without a hunting license so long as they are not hunting. • This bill was referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources. • The Administration has not taken a position on this legislation.

HB 6354/SB 1119 – Increased Penalties – Rep. Cole and Sen. Pavlov These bills seek to amend the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to double the fines for a recreational trespass violation. • HB 6354 was referred to the House Committee on Judiciary and SB 1119 to the Senate Committee on Natural Resources. • The Administration has not taken a position on this legislation.

HB 6355 – Transporting Minnows – Rep. Cole This bill seeks to amend the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to allow an individual to possess or transport minnows for commercial purposes without a permit or license if the person purchased the minnows from a person that holds a permit or license to take, possess, or transport those minnows. • This bill was referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources. • The Administration has not taken a position on this legislation.

HB 6362 – Violation Penalties – Rep. LaFave This bill seeks to amend the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to change the penalties for various violations from a misdemeanor to a civil infraction. • This bill was referred to the House Committee on Judiciary. • The Administration has not taken a position on this legislation.

HB 6365/SB 1120 – Transporting Firearm – Rep. Allor and Sen. Zorn These bills seek to amend the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to allow an individual to transport or a possess an unloaded and uncased firearm upon a vehicle if the individual is on private property or is traveling along a public highway, road or street that bisects the individual’s property. The legislation also proposes to allow an individual to take waterfowl from a boat if the boat’s motor has been shut off and the boat’s forward progress has ceased, as consistent with language in the Department’s Wildlife Conservation Order. • HB 6365 was referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources and SB 1120 to the Senate Committee on Outdoor Recreation and Tourism. • The Administration has not taken a position on this legislation.

6 of 16 HB 6417 – Deer and Elk Feeding – Rep. Cole This bill seeks to amend the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to allow an individual to engage in deer and elk feeding so long as the feed is located not more than 600 feet from a residence or structure on private property. The individual would be prohibited from placing or scattering more than 2 gallons of feed within 600 feet of the residence or structure at one time. • This bill was referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources. • The Administration has not taken a position on this legislation.

HB 6427 – Windfarm Construction – Rep. Howell This bill seeks to amend the Clean and Renewable Energy and Energy Waste Reduction Act to prohibit an individual from constructing a wind turbine within two miles of a State Game Area. • This bill was referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources. • The Administration has not taken a position on this legislation.

SB 1061 – Memorial Program – Sen. Schuitmaker This bill seeks to amend the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to require the Department of Natural Resources to administer a memorial program to allow families choosing cremation a method to honor the deceased’s desires to have their final resting place be at a state park. • This bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Outdoor Recreation and Tourism. • The Administration has not taken a position on this legislation.

SB 1105 – Aquatic Invasive Species Signage – Sen. MacGregor This bill seeks to amend the Public Improvement Act for Townships to allow for local tax assessments to be used to pay for prevention of aquatic weeds, plants or invasive species. The bill would also allow for funds to be used to pay for signage regarding aquatic weeds, plants or invasive species. • This bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Local Government. • The Administration has not taken a position on this legislation.

SB 1106 – Purple Paint – Sen. MacGregor This bill seeks to amend the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to allow purple paint marks to designate a no trespassing area. • This bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Outdoor Recreation and Tourism. • The Administration has not taken a position on this legislation.

SR 180/HR 389 – Wild Turkey Licenses – Sen. Pavlov and Rep. Allor These resolutions encourage the Department to eliminate the wild turkey hunting license application and drawing system and allow for wild turkey licenses to be sold over-the-counter. • SR 180 was referred to the Senate Committee on Outdoor Recreation and Tourism and HR 389 to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

If you would like to learn more about these and other bills, you can access the Michigan Legislature website at www.legislature.mi.gov.

Division Updates

Law Enforcement Division (LED): Acting Lt. Ryan Aho, District 1 Law Supervisor ▪ CO Brian Bacon has promoted in place to sergeant. CO Mark Leadman has promoted to sergeant in District 2. Acting Captain Pete Wright and Acting Lt. Ryan Aho continue with working out of class assignments. ▪ CO Josh Boudreaux encountered a man operating a motorboat on Lake Angeline without MC numbers or proper registration. Upon contacting the fisherman, it was discovered the man had multiple warrants for his arrest from multiple counties. The man was arrested and subsequently transported to Marquette County Jail. ▪ COs Brett DeLonge and Cody Smith assisted Cpl. David Painter with a Hunter Safety field day at the Negaunee Township Hall in Marquette County for individuals who took the online hunter safety training. The day long class

7 of 16 had several successful students along with many of their parents who helped facilitate learning discussions between the COs and students. ▪ CO Jared Ferguson received a complaint about over limit of pan fish on an inland lake in Dickinson County. CO Jared Ferguson contacted a boat at the boat launch and found two individuals in possession of an over limit of pan fish. Enforcement action was taken ▪ COs Cody Smith, Brett DeLonge, Josh Boudreaux and Acting Sgt Mark Leadman responded to a missing person call to assist MSP and Marquette County Search and Rescue. The four responded to the area and were able to do a quick search of the trails near where the individual’s vehicle was located with use of their department ORVs. The individual was located by some hikers after they were informed of the missing person by the COs. The individual was found to be in good health and returned to his family. ▪ CO Brian Lasanen investigated a burning/ litter complaint in Houghton County. An unknown suspect brought an old camping trailer onto private property and proceeded to try and burn it. CO Lasanen utilized an evidence technician from MSP and was able lift finger prints from the scene. The investigation is ongoing to identify the suspect. ▪ CO Ethen Mapes was patrolling the Porcupine Mountains area when a report of a lost hiker came in. CO Mapes worked with Park Ranger Justin Farley to assess the situation. The hiker was inexperienced and had never been to the area. It was reported that the man had not been seen for 3 hours but had food, shelter, and water. A plan was devised, and park employees hiked into the back country the next morning. The hiker was found in good condition and the group was reunited. ▪ CO Brian Lasanen and Sgt. Marc Pomroy attended the pledge of land at the Houghton Douglass Falls. The land located near Calumet in Houghton County, is now under state of Michigan ownership. Over one hundred and fifty people attended the ceremony to dedicate the land purchase to veterans who have served this country. ▪ CO Brian Lasanen observed a side by side fail to stop at two intersections along the ORV trail. CO Lasanen conducted a stop of the side by side. CO Lasanen contacted the operator and after talking with the operator a strong odor of intoxicants was detected emitting off his person. CO Lasanen conducted Standardized Field Sobrieties Test on the operator. The operator was arrested for operating an ORV while intoxicated and lodged in the Houghton County Jail. ▪ CO Jennifer Hanson received a complaint that numerous people were using large treble hooks to snag salmon on a local river in Gogebic County. These people are also known to have harassed other anglers on the river. A subsequent investigation with the help of COs Zach Painter and Ethen Mapes led to the discovery of three individuals snagging steelhead after dark. The COs addressed violations including snagging/attempting to snag, possession of snagging equipment, possession of two foul hooked steelhead and failure to display fishing license. Further investigation of the suspect’s vehicle revealed an illegally possessed deer. The suspects claimed the deer as roadkill but failed to notify authorities before placing it in the truck of their car. One of the individuals also had numerous misdemeanor and felony warrants. Enforcement action was taken regarding the fishing violations, the illegally possessed deer and outstanding warrants. ▪ COs Zach Painter and Jennifer Hanson conducted a small game enforcement patrol in Gogebic County. A check of two hunters lead to the discovery of an untagged turkey that had recently been harvested. Both hunters had a fall turkey license, but they were for a unit in the Lower Peninsula. The hunters admitted to harvesting the turkey on private property and the driver of the ORV was a juvenile and was not in possession of his ORV certificate. The turkey and turkey license were seized, and the case has been forwarded to the Gogebic County prosecutor for review. ▪ CO Jared Ferguson was patrolling northern Iron County when he observed two individuals exiting the woods onto the two track he was traveling. CO Ferguson made contact with the elderly gentlemen and his 8-year-old grandson. The gentlemen stated his grandson shot a deer and they couldn’t drag it out of the woods. CO Ferguson assisted the hunters by locating the downed deer, displaying how to properly attach a tag, and field dressed the deer. CO Ferguson gave the hunters assistance in dragging the animal to their truck and the young hunter was more than excited to get his first buck. He stated now he can concentrate on ice fishing season. ▪ COs Jared Ferguson and Brian Bacon assisted the Iron County Sheriff Department with and ORV accident. The ORV operator was traveling too fast for conditions and failed to negotiate a turn. The ORV left the roadway traveling down a fifteen-foot embankment and came to a stop after striking several trees. The subject was not wearing a helmet and was transferred to the hospital with serious injuries.

8 of 16 ▪ CO Josh Boudreaux and Sergeant Brian Bacon responded to a road killed moose that was hit near the McFarland area in southern Marquette County. Responding agency indicated that the moose was still alive but was unable to walk. The agency was able to dispatch the moose. CO Boudreaux and Sgt. Bacon were able to take the moose to a local processor and the meat was donated to a food pantry in the Marquette County area. ▪ CO Jeremy Sergey and Sgt. Brian Bacon assisted two individuals who reported they were trapped at their camp in Northern Iron County due to the recent rain and a road being flooded. The COs located the subjects and assisted them in getting to the main road.

Public Information Office: John Pepin, Deputy Public Information Officer The exciting fall season is well underway, including the new season of “Ask the DNR” on WNMU-TV13. The Nov. 1 show will focus on the upcoming deer season and the Dec. 6 program will feature Michigan Natural Resources Commission Chairwoman Vicki Pontz who will be traveling to the Upper Peninsula from Ionia to appear on the program.

We are also gathering story ideas for the 2019 series of Showcasing the DNR feature stories. We are looking for stories about personal experiences folks have had enjoying the outdoors, project highlights, interesting, off-the-beaten path ideas – a wide range of possibilities. To submit a story idea, send it to me at [email protected].

During the end of September, into early October, I was part of the team working to relocate gray wolves to Isle Royale National Park. I obtained photos and video we will be able to use here at the DNR. I also wrote a bit about my experience there in a Showcasing the DNR story Oct. 11 (available online under DNR Press Releases).

As always, if you have ideas or suggestions on how to better our communications with the public, please get them to me. I can also be reached at 906-226-1352.

Fisheries Division: George Madison, Western Management Unit The following are the western Upper Peninsula fisheries division highlights for the period of September 13, 2018 through October 31, 2018.

Escanaba Field Office (Darren Kramer) ▪ Met w/UPSA & CAC reps to discuss muskellunge in the Upper Paint River System ▪ Met with We Energies reps for the annual land management planning and consultation meeting ▪ The lake sturgeon lift at the Menominee River dam began operations on September 5th and ended October 13th. A total of 43 lake sturgeon were passed upstream during fall operations. ▪ Crystal Falls tech staff again partnered with the MFRS to complete the annual fall fish community assessment survey on Little Bay de Noc and Big Bay de Noc. The survey started on September 5th and continued through late September. ▪ Crystal Falls techs continue to complete fall fieldwork on the workplan such as trout lake surveys and walleye pond maintenance. ▪ Participated in a meeting regarding the fate of the Republic Dam (Michigamme River). The Michigamme River Basin Authority bought the dam from a private owner in early 2018 and are now seeking options to remove or repair the dam in the next 5 years. Most conversations centered around dam removal and installation of a structure to allow fish passage and maintain a pool for public recreation opportunities in Republic. Various grant opportunities to fund work were also discussed.

Baraga Customer Service Center (George Madison) ▪ Michigan DNR Lake Superior Basin Team met in Marquette. ▪ Hosted an watershed tour with DNR staff, UPPCO. and US Forest Service, to review water flow management during times of flood or drought. ▪ Met with DNR-Forest Resource Division on various timber stand pre-proposals for vegetation management. ▪ Hosted a joint Michigan DNR and Wisconsin DNR fisheries meeting. ▪ Summarizing summer-2018 lake and stream survey reports. ▪ Preparing fish stocking requests for the 2019-2024 time period.

9 of 16 State Fish Hatcheries (Jan VanAmberg, Hatchery Manager) Thompson Fish Hatchery ▪ Second round of grading of our steelhead fingerlings have begun. Fish are behind on growth compared to previous years due to fish health issues. Several rounds of antibacterial treatments have been initiated. ▪ Expect to receive Chinook eggs from Swan Weir this week. ▪ Mass marking of steelhead fingerlings to commence next week. Second of five years for this project. ▪ Progress is being made on the first phase of the capital out lay project. • The first well for the cool water part of the project was competed and it’s a high producer (400-500 gpm with 50-100 gpm artesian flow). The second well is being drilled now. • Following development of second well, both wells will be pump tested. • The area for the cool water facility was marked for a timber sale. Sale and harvest is expected this winter. • Working on a daily basis over the past several weeks with the design firm as they progress in the design process for the cool water facility and the upgrades at the hatchery for steelhead. • On track to complete design process in order to start construction in the spring of 2019. ▪ Maintenance staff have been busy with various projects including rebuilding all our inside tank valves, fabricating steps and a water pump screen for the mass marking trailer, etc.

Marquette State Fish Hatchery ▪ Egg takes have been started for lake trout and splake. ▪ Wild fish collections in Cherry Creek have been made for fish health testing. ▪ Antibiotic injections have been completed for all spawning lake and brook trout. ▪ Private tour of hatchery provided for new NRC member (John Walters). ▪ Fisheries technicians have been assisting with various field work projects. ▪ Expect to make tissue collections for virus testing (EEDv) of wild lake trout in the Marquette area this week. Working with private fish wholesaler. ▪ Staff involved with various projects including dredging of the sand trap, pumping of the settling basin, cutting a concreate wall out of a diversion box to facilitate air exchange in the building (radon reduction strategy).

Marquette Fisheries Research Station (Dr. Troy Zorn, Dr. Ed Baker) ▪ Fisheries crews are electrofishing several streams, mostly in Marquette County as part of our coaster regulations study. ▪ The RV Lake Char finished survey work for 2018 with a successful trip to Isle Royale to tag lake trout with acoustic tags. Acoustic tags were surgically inserted into 50 lake trout and the crew did some receiver testing while at the island. The Lake Char is now awaiting haul-out for winter. ▪ Captains Rathbun and Little are completing maintenance work and load-bank installation on Lake Char prior to haul- out ▪ Nearshore survey work on lakes Superior and Michigan has been completed and staff are currently conducting stream electrofishing related to the Coaster Brook Trout regulations evaluation. Streams in northern Marquette County and Baraga County are targeted for sampling. ▪ All lake sturgeon (n=759) have been stocked in the Ontonagon River and the FWS has winterized the trailer and put it in storage. ▪ Commercial lake whitefish data collection efforts are continuing as staff time permits. ▪ Wild lake trout captured from Lake Superior waters near Marquette were sampled for disease screening in anticipation of collecting eggs and milt from wild fish to refresh the brood stock at the Marquette hatchery. ▪ Biologist S. Sitar attended Modeling Subcommittee meeting in Cadillac. ▪ Biologists Zorn and Baker attended Lake Superior Basin Team meeting. ▪ Staff is transitioning to winter lab work, winterizing equipment, and continue to work on net building/repair, equipment maintenance, etc. ▪ Zorn, Sitar, and Baker continue to work on data analysis and population models for walleye, lake trout, whitefish, sturgeon, etc., manuscripts for publication, and have started working on research proposals for various initiatives.

10 of 16 Parks & Recreation Division: Doug Rich, WUP District Supervisor State Park/Recreation Area/Scenic Site/Forest Rec Units ▪ : Camping was up 9.1% at the end of September, but this number will likely be down some as the park had to close ahead of its initial 10/29 closing date due to flooding on 10/11. The park had ponding and flooding on approximately 90% of campsites and there were electrical hazards. Some cords were lying in as much as 8 inches of water. Harvest Festival was well attended with overall attendance of over 2100 at all activities over the event weekend. Fall colors were also good this year. State Forest campgrounds were down a bit due to heavy rains, but Big Erick's Bridge State Forest Campground had nearly normal camping numbers. Recreation Passport sales at Scenic Site were beginning to recover after a difficult staffing season but a good color season, but overall the site is still down 11% in revenue for the season. ▪ : Occupancy is up 10% for the month of September over 2017. Our Harvest Fest was a great success with approximately 1300 people attending on Saturday, September 15th. ▪ Bond Falls Scenic Site: ▪ : FY18 yurt stays have an increase of 33 nights YTD, rustic cabins have an increase of 16 nights, camp nights increased by 49 nights to round out FY18. ▪ Fort Wilkins Historic State Park: Camping for September is up 9.31% from last year. We hosted Michigan Cares for Tourism volunteer work event at the Fort with over 150 volunteers. Much needed maintenance, trail work and stewardship type projects got accomplished through this event. National Restoration has begun work to repoint and replace brickwork in numerous historic fort chimneys and bakery. Weather has slowed their work and it looks as if the work will be extended this spring. Bay Electric will begin electrical upgrade projects at the fort, park store, and other sites in the parks. The campgrounds are all semi-modern for the remainder of the season. ▪ : Wet weather to end September and October slowed camping numbers. Campground and day use have been winterized. Currently finishing up roofing the headquarters building. Continuing the process to allow ORV access to the campground. ▪ McLain State Park: Camping has been slow due to construction and poor weather. ▪ Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park: The Porkies annual visitation for the fiscal year was just over 450,000. Fall Colors has seriously increased weekend day use attendance. Chairlift rides at the ski hill have been popular despite the cold and wet weather. Union Bay campground was full 5/7 nights a week all of September. Presque Isle Campground had been full 5/7 nights per week. Cabins and Backcountry attendance has been very busy. Due to the amount of rainfall the Union Bay Campground was closed on October 11th for the season. The park hosted the CAC and Commissioner Richardson retirement party at the Ski Chalet. Also hosted the MISPAC and NRC meeting at the Wilderness Visitor's Center. The park hosted the two day kick off meeting for the General Management Plan meeting. ▪ Twin Lakes State Park: Camping overall was similar to most years nothing unusual. Some nice weather in Sept followed by lots of rain. Senior ride had a rainy morning. SFC camping was usual, a few better weekends. Day-use was slow. Campground BAS had moderate use. Rain over the last three weeks has slowed down all our fall work and with the STW workers done on the 20 of October, a lot of yard maintenance will not get done. With Baraga and the Porkies closing down early, we tried to keep our water on longer than we usually do and did have frozen water valves which will need replacing next season. ▪ : FY18 camp nights have a decrease of 370 camp nights, this is attributed to early water project construction and us having to cancel one harvest festival weekend where we would have had a full campground. Overnight lodging at Van Riper State Park had a decrease of 10 nights YTD compared to end of FY17. For FY18 Little Presque Isle/Harlow Lake Cabins had a decrease of 52 nights compared to FY 17. Little Presque Isle- A few volunteer cleanups through the Sierra Club have taken place in the last two months as well. ▪ Wells State Park: Camping lodge and cabins are up around 10% for the year at this time from last year. ▪ Escanaba Field Office: Escanaba Field Office Staff as well as Baraga Field Office Staff completed the Armoring of McLain State Parks shoreline.

Boating Reports (BAS = Boating Access Sites) ▪ Baraga State Park: Baraga Field Office continued work on the shoreline restoration project at McLain State Park. Nearly 1000 feet of shoreline armoring has been completed at the site after mobilizing to the park after assisting with response efforts on Houghton County trails. Heavy rains have affected local BAS sites like Prickett Dam BAS and Otter Lake BAS. The courtesy skid pier at Otter Lake is completed submerged.

11 of 16 ▪ Craig Lake State Park: Keewaydin Lake BAS was the only site not completed flooded after the early October rain. ▪ Fort Wilkins Historic State Park: Copper Harbor Marina occupancy is down 37% from last year. We are in the process to update the boaters lounge. The Marina is now closed for the season. We received capital outlay funding for Eagle Harbor State Harbor site, building and utility upgrades. We have started pulling skid piers from BAS sites. ▪ Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park: Skid piers were damaged at the Union Bay and Big Iron boat launches due overnight storms. ▪ Twin Lakes State Park: BAS sites have been slow with the inclement weather we have been having. ▪ Van Riper State Park: Water draw down by Cleveland Cliffs on Deer Lake Marquette County as they will be working on the dam until the end of October. Beaufort Lake State Forest Campground and BAS have been closed until Spring 2019 due to flooding. Other BAS sites were closed for a short time to recover the skid piers. Local Fire Officers are still planning to cut the hazard trees at Little Presque Isle this fall. ▪ Cedar River State Harbor: Cedar River Harbor will be undergoing removal of one dock and the spring poles from heaving over the winter months from 2017. The harbor is closed as of mid-sept. ▪ Escanaba Field Office: Escanaba staff repaired damage done to Brown Road BAS due to high rains. Repairs include unplugging culverts, creating drainage diversions, and re contouring sections of road. Future grader/dozer work will be required.

Personnel News, Vacancies/Hires, Recognition ▪ Baraga State Park: All units: STW's have begun to return to school or depart for the season. ▪ Bewabic State Park: Currently waiting for posting of the Bewabic Boating Ranger Position. ▪ Fort Wilkins Historic State Park: Trever Downard is now the new Lead Ranger at the Fort, since Paul Ketolas retirement. Bob Wild has been acting supervisor since Wayne Burnett’s retirement (late August). ▪ McLain State Park: A new Ranger was hired to replace the ranger that transferred to the Porkies in June. The new ranger is John Butala and has been a STW-4 here at F.J. McLain for 2 seasons. ▪ Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park: Park Interpreter Bob Wild went to Fort Wilkins to fill the Acting Park Supervisor position. No fall programing has happened at the Porkies. Park Manager Jeff Gaertner's last day is October 19th and he is moving to Tennessee. ▪ Twin Lakes State Park: Would like to thank the new for this year MRS crew, who worked this summer at Twin Lakes State Park, they did a fine job of all the tasks assigned to them. ▪ Van Riper State Park: Debra Gill is currently WOC Supervisor and Matena Coron is the WOC Lead Ranger for this unit. Please congratulate Ranger Matena Coron, her husband Matt, and their son. Levi Benjamin Coron was born at UP Health System Bell at 3:30am on October 12, 2018. He arrived at 8lbs, 7oz and was 19 inches long. ▪ Wells State Park: Ranger position will be filled within the month. ▪ Escanaba Field Office: David Gobert returned from medical leave.

Other Issues, Challenges or Items of Note ▪ Baraga State Park: Several Baraga SP staff are assisting with the Houghton County trails response efforts. Electrical issues are ongoing and persisted during the Harvest Festival event, when the park was full and the demand was high. Staffing Baraga SP and Bond Falls has been a challenge, we are having difficultly hiring workers into the shoulder season. ▪ Bewabic State Park: Winterizing the park is bringing many infrastructure issues to light. Will be digging up shut off valves and doing some plumbing in c-loop and dump station. ▪ Fort Wilkins Historic State Park: Several short-term worker positions went unfilled this year due to lack of qualified candidates. The unit needs to find a vendor or another option for the lighthouse boat tours. It was a popular program and many visitors and local businesses. ▪ Lake Gogebic State Park: Poorly draining campground results in poor camping experience for visitors. ▪ Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park: New/continued erosion issues along M107. Flooding issues at the Union Bay Campground, Lost Creek Outpost and White Pine Extension Outpost Campgrounds. ▪ Twin Lakes State Park: Fall staffing is becoming a problem issue. STW help is quite hard to find in the Twin Lakes Area. ▪ Escanaba Field Office: Escanaba staff completed the dredge of the Marquette state fish hatchery sediment trap.

12 of 16 Multi-Use Trails ▪ Porcupine Mountains: Park hosted the two day kick off meeting for the General Management Plan meeting. ▪ Twin Lakes State Park: We have still been repairing trails from water damage, and even more so in the last week with the rain event that occurred during the week of Oct 7th. Trails and low areas cannot handle the amount of rain we have been receiving. ▪ Van Riper State Park: Trails at Little Presque Isle were cleared by the Friends of Harlow and some bridge repair was made by staff. Staff is looking at the possibility of some work on the NCT stairs between Wetmore Landing and Little Presque Isle this fall. ▪ Houghton County Trail System: Following devastating summer flooding in Houghton County, Michigan, remediation of dozens of miles of recreational trails continues to take place as the DNR looks toward the Dec. 1 opening of the snowmobile season. The bulk of the damage on the trails occurred in June when a major storm struck Michigan’s Upper Peninsula on Father’s Day. A second strong storm followed on July 12. Houghton County was particularly hard hit, with more than 150 washouts over 60 miles of trails. The damage forced numerous trail closures. The DNR and partnering agencies have worked to reopen several trail segments, though some trail closures remain in effect. ▪ ORV trail closure updates include: Access to Houghton and across Portage Lift Bridge to the Keweenaw Peninsula remains limited. Access will be reopened next spring. The Freda route is closed. The Lake Linden route is closed. The Hancock to Calumet trail is open. ▪ Snowmobile trail updates include: Trail No. 3 between Twin Lakes and Houghton will be open by Dec. 1. Access to the Keweenaw Peninsula will be established via trails No. 3 and No. 17. Several trails will be closed for the upcoming 2018-2019 snowmobile season, including trails No. 120, No. 121 and No. 3 between Dollar Bay and Lake Linden. The Houghton to Chassell rail-trail also is closed. This is not a designated snowmobile trail, but in past years has been open to snowmobiling. The Department has been working continually with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to seek reimbursement for damage to all the trails in Houghton County.

ORV Trails ▪ Twin Lakes State Park: 2018 Senior Ride was held on Thursday Sept 29. Even with rainy weather for the morning ride everyone enjoyed the sites and fall colors. Lunch was served at the Twin Lakes Enclosed Shelter. Pasty’s, coffee, cookies and cake were had by all, drivers included. This year’s ride was on Kims birthday and everyone sang and wished Kim goodluck, as this is her last year organizing the Senior Ride. As the afternoon ride left to go back to the Greenland fairgrounds the sun finally came out and shined for the ride back.

Snowmobile Trails ▪ Twin Lakes State Park: Weekly reports from local snowmobile club on Multi trail conditions and club trails ▪ Van Riper State Park: Staff attended the Regional Snowmobile Pre-Season meeting to meet with club sponsors and to plan for this upcoming snowmobile season. ▪ Escanaba Field Office: Escanaba Field Office Staff assisted with the repairs of numerous culverts in the Houghton area.

Equestrian Trails ▪ Twin Lakes State Park: No work done on equestrian trails this period.

Pathways ▪ Van Riper State Park: Van Riper State Park Staff cleared Blueberry Ridge Ski Pathway and is waiting for the snow to melt to finish mowing and trail clearing before ski season gets under way.

Trespass and Acquisition Report ▪ Van Riper State Park: Van Riper State Park Staff is working with the Marquette County Road Commission to do a land swap for some property more suitable for gravel rights within park lands.

Planning Report ▪ Van Riper State Park • Van Riper Water Treatment and Supply Upgrades: Water from the main well in Van Riper State Park tested positive for arsenic in July and all postings required by the local Health Department were put up. Park Staff

13 of 16 worked with a local water hauler and have a 1,000-gallon water tank with potable drinking water available for park visitors. The bid package for the water upgrades was awarded to RC Mechanical Inc. to start upgrades on September 17, 2018. Water was shut down on September 17, 2018 for the upgrades. In addition to this, Van Riper State Park only hosted 2 Harvest Festivals this season to accommodate contractor schedules for the water upgrades. Upgrades to the water treatment plant and water supply systems - $175,000.00 has been allocated for design and construction. Design is 100% complete. The project is now under construction. Construction is 50% complete. • Van Riper State Park Beach Building: Lighting and hand dryer upgrades in all areas of the restrooms were completed by contractors. The interior and exterior of the building were repainted by contractors as well. New door slabs for the men's restroom side and one door in the laundry room are planning to be replaced.

▪ McLain State Park • Phase 1 design and construction is 100%. Phase 1 included a new toilet shower building, a new campground loop with 20 modern campsites (20/30/ and some 50-amp electric) and a new campground circulation road. • Phase 2 design is 100% complete and began construction on August 1, 2018. Phase 2 includes a new State Park entrance road and contact station, 16 modern campsites, and a renovated day use and beach area on the west end of the park. Construction is approximately 20% complete. • Shoreline armoring - 100% complete. The installation of 1,140 of shoreline armoring is complete, site restoration is anticipated to be complete by 10/19/18. The shoreline armoring is intended to provide protection to a portion of McLain State Park shoreline that is infrastructure heavy (electric, water, and sewer lines, campsites, and primary access road serving 91 campsites).

▪ Bergland Boating Access Site: Parking lot, dock, and ADA site improvements completed August 1, 2016. Additional asphalt paving and site lighting improvements were proposed for fall of 2017 or spring/early summer of 2018. The project has been bid out. Payne and Dolan has been awarded a contract for construction. Construction began September 9, 2018 and the sight lighting improvements are underway. Asphalt paving improvements have been delayed until 2019 due to an operators engineer's labor dispute.

▪ Design of masonry repairs to the Copper Harbor historic lighthouse and light keepers’ residence are underway. $50,000.00 allocated. Design is 95% complete. Construction funding will be sought in July of 2018.

▪ A new cold storage building is proposed at the Escanaba Field Office to support PRD's major maintenance crew and equipment. Design is 100% complete and construction is 80% complete. Th entire building is erected, and metal roofing and siding installed. The concrete aprons were poured this week and final electrical and mechanical installation are being planned.

▪ Engineering and analysis of the State Harbor at Eagle Harbor is proposed in 2017. Improvements to the site utilities, mooring facility, and harbor master building are being considered. A design contract was awarded to Edgewater Resources. The data collection of existing site conditions is underway. The analysis of potential of design improvements is 90% complete.

▪ Baraga State Park: Upgrades to the campground electrical and wet well has received design funding - A Design contract has been awarded to UPEA, design is 95% complete.

▪ Oman Creek Boating Access Site • Interim planning: A stakeholder workgroup meeting was held at the Little Girl's County Park lodge on October 17, 2017. The DNR engaged stakeholders in a problem-solving exercise for developing solutions to address immediate operation concerns at the site. The DNR and the stakeholders agreed to implement 3 solutions: 1. Armor the Oman Creek Shoreline - immediate. 2. Re-construction of the boating access site to pre-flash flood dimensions 3. Improve the conditions of the dredging operation to be more effective and to provide more value to the boating public. Progress: DEQ and USACE permits have been approved. Project design is 100% complete, construction is estimated to cost $140,000, and construction funding has been approved. The construction of the improvements is proposed for May 21 –

14 of 16 • Saxon Harbor is proposed be closed all of the 2018 boating season. Black River harbor is proposed to be closed all of the 2018 boating season. The DNR has communicated with Gogebic County Commissioners, Gogebic County Parks and Forestry, Iron County - WI, the USCG, and the USFS regarding boating access and boater safety. • Long range planning: $170,000.00 has been awarded for the design of a groin. The groin design will be informed by a littoral drift study. OHM Advisors has been awarded a contract for design. The analysis of coastal processes is underway. The analysis of proposed design improvements is 100% complete. Two groin alternatives were considered, a Public Input Session was held on July 24, 2018. The public input demonstrated support of investing in groin alternative #1. The DNR has selected Groin Alternative #1 and is proceeding with the development of plans and specifications for bidding.

Forest Resources Division: Don Mankee, WUP District Supervisor ▪ Units have finished the 2020 YOE Inventory. Work has started on the 2021 YOE inventory. Open house and compartment review schedules Will be posted online, along with other state forest inventory information at www.michigan.gov/forestry. ▪ As of October 10th, 325 timber sale contracts are open WUP Wide. This represents 700,176 cords of timber on 41,370 acres, valued at approximately $35.9 million. ▪ WUP units reporting there are 15 Active Timber Sales in the WUP totaling about 1,448 acres. Units report demand overall is steady. ▪ The West UP is on track to complete the setup of about 15,000 acres of planned Harvest Treatment on state forestland. In addition to over 1,200 acres on the as part of the Good Neighbor Authority. ▪ Forest health issues reports from the West UP: • we are starting to see Heterobasidion root disease (HRD) causing pockets of mortality in red pine plantations in lower Michigan. The Forest Health Program is surveying red pine stands with 2019 treatments within 5 miles of known HRD pockets. We are also following up on reports of expanding pockets of mortality in red pine stands statewide. In the UP, currently the area of greatest concern is near Newberry in Luce County, where HRD was detected in 2016. • Oak wilt management efforts continue with additional vibratory plow lines to cut root grafts installed this fall in Menominee county. Oak wilt is a potential concern wherever oaks grow in the UP and is more easily managed when detected early. • Hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) surveys and treatments continue in the lower peninsula where HWA has been detected in several locations in southwest Michigan from Allegan to northern Oceana County along the Lake Michigan shore. There could be potential for HWA in the UP as well, especially warmer microclimates along the shore and near managed landscapes where hemlock nursery stock may have been planted in the past. Late fall – spring is the best time to detect the woolly tufts (ovisacs) at the base of needles along the underside of outer twigs ▪ Units report work on maintaining and improving our State Forest Road System as limited budgets allow. This work includes grading, upgrading roads like the Skunk Creek Road in Dickinson county. Most of these projects will be wrapping up as the snow starts to fly ▪ Cooperative Forest Management Foresters in the West UP continue to inspect new Commercial Forest Act applications for enrollment. For farther information about the Commercial Forest Program see www.michigan.gov/commercialforest. ▪ FRD staff from the WUP continue the assist with PRD and DEQ to recover from the recent flooding in Houghton County.

15 of 16 Wildlife Division: Terry Minzey, Wildlife Supervisor (prepared by Karen Sexton, Biologist) ▪ Deer Survey: Fawn-to-Adult Deer Spring Survey Report – Median date for completing the survey this year was April 24, which is much later than the past two years (2016: 29 March, 2017: 30 March). Fawn-to-adult deer ratios this year were higher in the south- central UP than other regions. A total of 5,597 deer was recorded by surveyors during the 2018 survey. Surveyors were able to identify 4,980 (89%) of these deer as either fawns or adults. The target sample size of 400– 500 deer was reached in each Deer Survey Unit (DSU), which allowed us to calculate fawn-to-adult deer ratios. Changes in recruitment of fawns into adult cohort can help wildlife managers project trends in deer population.

▪ Chronic Wasting Disease Update: The Department and Natural Resource announced a 4-year-old doe killed on a deer damage shooting permit in Dickinson County’s Waucedah Township has tested positive for chronic wasting disease, marking the first confirmation of the incurable deer disease within Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Additional details can be found at www.michigan.gov/emergingdiseases. As of October 11th, 625 samples have been tested in the UP 4-county area

▪ Wild Rice Management: At the end of August, about 10 Wildlife Division staff participated in a wild rice management workshop hosted by Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC). KBIC Natural Resources staff shared details of their efforts in wild rice restoration. Staff had the opportunity to learn about survey and monitoring techniques, as well as, learn about favorable conditions for plantings. UP Region Wildlife staff continue to restore wild rice in partnership with the tribe(s) to identified historic sites and evaluate new locations on state lands, primarily for wildlife benefits.

▪ Deer Movement Study: A total of 190 deer were captured and collared within 4 deer winter complexes (Little Girls Point DWC – 51, Lake Gogebic DWC – 50, West Iron County DWC – 51, and East Middle Branch DWC – 38). Observations of spring migratory movements observed were up to 54 miles long and for the most part, directional. Movements of deer from these wintering complexes to their summer range encompass large areas, on average just over 360 mi2. We also observed some mixing of deer from different wintering complexes on the summer range. Of the deer collared along the Wisconsin border, 12 of the animals entered Wisconsin, and 8 of those 12 have established summer home ranges across the state line. High densities of deer in the wintering complexes and long- distance migrations increase the risk of CWD transmission across very large areas. More information is available at https://www.facebook.com/campfirewildlife/ and https://campfirewildlife.com/projects/deer-movement/.

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